The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-19

conversation to a close cross-examination con-
corning the chsel or serew-driver, for which the
assassin had returned after the murder. On my
remaining firm in my conviction to what the
tool appeared to be. he con6ded to me his theory
of the terrible mock murder which l.
had witnessed He believed. he told me,
! that the crime which had caused the
vessels abandonment had been revealed to
me ''by the spirits las he expressed i'll of the
principal actors" Proceeding this theory
he personally permitting to accompany
hinl) made careful examination of the fatal
stateroom aud Of the now empty between decks
space forward, his object being to discover
some evidence of the use of such a tool. TO the
appearance OF which ne attached the greatest
importance. At point about fifteen feet dis
tant from the state-room he found narrow
strip of oak, about an inch in thickness and nve
feet in length, projecting, by its thickness, De-
yond the smooth surface of the vessels inner
she'll On scrutinizing it closely we perceived
that it had been fixed in its place by
means of FIVE screws apparently of brass. as the
heads were incrusted with bright green rust or
mold. We Immediately summoned assistance,
procured screw-iriver and removed the strip
Having accomplished this we discovered that the
strip had been affixed over perpendicular sue
cession of the joints of the narrow planks of the
vessels interior hull which sprang outward as
they released, far enough for my compan-
ion to insert his fingers behind them Wrench
ing them off we found. TO our horror, wedged in
the inner space. the grinning skeleton Of a man.
upon which hung shreds of clothing As this
skeleton was lifted out something dropped
to the deck with metallic sound, and
rolled to my feet. i stopped and picked it up
1t was a plain band of gold-a ring On the in
side engraved: From II. NJ TO j. B." The
clothing of the unfortunate man appeared to
have been partially eaten by rats AT the time
it seemed to me fortunate thing that IL had not
been entirely destroyed, as, otherwise the ring
which had been retained in one of the folds,
would long before have slipped from the bony
finger to the bottom of the hold. and rendered
positive Identification, perhaps impossible. The
skeleton was clean, dry and white, and, on fur
Their examination. we found that the back of the
skull had been fractured, apparently, by blow
from a Climb.
Since our arrival at Gibraltar. and about
week before the finding of the skeleton, Drayton
had written to the owners of the Brigantine. at
New York, having learned who they were from
the surveyor of shipping, to whom her missing
captain had been well ana favorably known. In
his letter to these gentlemen, Drayton had asked
for such history Of the Emily Brand" as her
owners were willing and prepared to give. He
particularly required afull account of her miss
ing company, and the details of any mutiny or
other crime that might have occurred
a description of the participants. At
the end of about three weeks
from the date which the skeleton was found
I'VE in the meanwhile having had a run up the
Mediterranean and back new captain and new
crew arrived from New York, sent out by Messrs
Barnes 81 Spaulding to take the brigantlne on
to Genoa for which port she had been originally
bound. The captain-Mr. Church-presented
himself on board the Nouad the day of his
rival, the bearer of a long letter TO Drayton
from Mr.. Barnes, the senior member of the
owners firm. From that letter / transcribe the
ensuing account of the Emily Brand"
The breantne was built for us about two
years ago at Portland Me. Including her pres
emit voyage, she has made four in all The first
TWO were prosperous, and on neither of them did
anything out of the ordinary occur. A year
ago last November, however, she sailed from
this port with miscellaneous cargo for Libson,
taken out by Capt. James Blaisdel. who had
been in our employ for many years, and who
had commanded her on her two preceding voy-
ages.
among her crew was Swede, or Norwegian,
of the name of Peterson, gigantic, il-favored
fellow who had been injured in our service some
time before by fall from the rigging in which
he sustained severe confusion of the brain.
For several months he lay in the hospital here in
what was believed TO be hopeless condition OF
imbecility; but finally. hevlDg recovered or ID
parently recovered, he applied for a berth on the
Emily Brand" Blaisdel, with whom he had
sailed before, was perfectly willing to take him,
as he had always borne good reputation
though his looks belied him-and was an excel
lent ships carpenter
when he shipped he was in good physical
condition far as the captain could see though
at times still little lght-headed and foolish.
Nevertheless wanted to give the fellow a
chance, and as we thought that the ocean
breezes might clear his head permanently, OBJ
ton was offered to his going as a sort of extra
hand.
"On the 11th of December we received news
by cable from Mr.. Riggs the mate, of the death
of Captain Blasdsl and the man Peterson. On
the Goth letter came giving the particulars,
which were briefly follows:
About the eighth day out from New York
Peterson developed symptoms OF a relapse of
his disease (caused by the fall, which seemed.
however to affect his mind only with a sort Of
intermittent stupor. He exhibited signs of
mania or violence, and was capable of perform
ing his light duties #about one-half the time.
He was accordingly not confined. and the master
did what he could for hiln. treating him with the
utmost kindness and advising him 20 LAY Off
his work This he did for several days, but
apparently without beneficial effect
ION the night of Dec. 5 Mr.. Blaisdel turned in
at eight bells III o'clock.) The weather
moon, about half full, lighted up the deck. The
vessel was then distant between four and five
hundred miles from Farmgas. somewhere about
latitude 35o north. longitude 17O west-near the
point at which you picked her up. Just before
two bells Il o'clock the man at the wheel saw
Peterson, whom herecognized by his great size,
cross the deck ami1shIp to the starboard rail aud
throw something. into the sea. On being hailed
by this man Peterson went aft and said that he
had thrown pair. of old shoes overheard He
was in his stocking feet. -
I'm the morning the master failed to appear,
and after waiting unreasonable time the steward
knocked at his door Receiving no response. he
called Mr. Riggs. the mate. who entered the
state--oom and found.it empty. The berth had
not been occupied. When, after a search, it be-
came evident that the Captain could not be
found, Miller the man VINO had taken the wheel
at midnight told the mate of Petersor's appear
ance and his conversation with him. Peterson
was sent for. and found in his bunk, apparently
sleeping. He was aroused and brought deck
in a very excited condition, and, on being inter
roeated by Mr. Riggs he became incoherent and
violent. The mate thereupon ordered Two OF the
men to seize him; but as they approached to do
so, he euded them, and darting to the vessels
side, went overheard. They put her about and
lowered boat Immediately, but he was never
seen again.
ut seems clear that in fit of insanity he
murdered the captain and threw his body into
the during the night. How this was accom-
pIished one knows. for noise heard
nor were any traces OF violence found anywhere
about the vessel. Other theories as Blais-
dell's disappearance have been advanced, but
this is the only plausible one, and it seems to
to be the only one to account for it Blaisdel
was man of good character. excellent habits
well-baianced mind, and a thorough sailor.
ION her present voyage Mr. Riggs, the former
mate, went master of the vessel. He was, 1
believe, thrty-six years of age, married, and
had one chiid-a little girl of five six years.
1t is our custom to allow our masters to pur-
chase an interest in the vessels they command,
and Mr.. Riggs and his wife owned two-sixteenths
of the Emily Brand He was of the
highest character and thoroughly competent to
90 master. On this last voyage his wife
and child accompanied him. / inclose copy of
=. r. %tD.